This letter is in response to a letter on Jan. 29 by T.J. Keeler. Mr. Keeler said anti-war protesters “exhibit cowardice, irresponsibility, stupidity, selfishness and lack a sense of right and wrong.”

That is exactly what I have always said about George Bush and warmongers like Mr. Keeler. It is cowardly to resort to war before honestly trying to work out problems diplomatically.

Doing so takes open-mindedness and skill. Bush lacks both of these qualities.

It is stupid to kill innocent civilians and send our loyal troops to their deaths because Hussein killed first. I believe it is selfish to think we can tell other people in other parts of the world what to do because it is in our best interest.

Mr. Keeler is quick to conform to the belief that Hussein is a “madman.” Mr. Keeler, if you know anything about Iraqi history and maybe a little psychology, you would know Hussein is not a “madman.”

I would agree Hussein is dangerous, cold and calculating. But he is not the first person in Iraqi history who attempted to take over Kuwait.

He also has some legitimate gripes with Kuwait concerning oil and money. You need to understand that people see things differently elsewhere in the world. Not everyone thinks as an American.

You also state anti-war protesters should be killed by Hussein to show them how thankful they should have been to live in the United States.

I think you should be transported to Iraq so you can be terrorized by the bombs of George Bush. It is very easy for you, who do not know the horrors of being innocently caught in a war zone, to think dropping bombs on Iraq is the courageous, responsible, smart and humanitarian thing to do.

Maybe the experience of war would “crash through” your “thick, self-centered” and machoistic skull and make you oppose a rash decision to go to war because it’s easier than trying to work it out diplomatically.

Anyone can wage war, but it takes a courageous, educated and open-minded man to try and work out political problems diplomatically. Bush did not even attempt this.

Finally, Mr. Keeler, the comments you made about flag burning and drugs are a poor attempt at discrediting the anti-war movement.

I cannot understand how you can say my values are warped because I do not support killing and destruction as a way to solve a problem that has other solutions.

And I say all of this, Mr. Keeler, as a patriotic American who wants to preserve the integrity of our nation, being eroded by the actions of a man who is temporarily our president.

Stacey L. Brown

Senior

Political Science